Isolation of polymerase-nucleic acid complexes

Compositions, methods and systems are provided for isolating DNA having a modified or unnatural base. Circular DNA fragments, each comprising a double stranded DNA central region and single stranded regions on the ends of the double stranded regions, are obtained. Some of the fragments have one or more modified or unnatural base. The DNA fragments are treated with a primer and a polymerase such that the polymerase extends the primer to copy at least one of the strand of the double stranded region. This results in rendering the other strand single stranded. A binding protein or antibody that is specific to the modified or unnatural base is then used to isolate strands containing the modified or unnatural bases. Methods for loading such complexes onto substrates and for single molecule sequencing of such complexes are also provided.